This mom's hack to clear a baby's blocked nose has divided the internet
Parents are divided about a mom’s hack for clearing a baby’s blocked nose.
As many parents will likely testify, when your baby gets a blocked nose, it is literally the worst — mainly because babies and toddlers don’t have the ability to blow their little noses themselves.
While there are some products on the market that can help, such as nasal respirators, one mom has come up with her own DIY method of clearing a baby’s nose.
But parents and experts are divided about it.
In the clip, shared to Facebook, the mom of a cute toddler uses a syringe full of saltwater to clear her daughter’s blocked nose.
Distracting the tot with the camera, the mom instructs her to keep mouth open, places the syringe under the unblocked nostril, before pressing down to shoot the water up her little one’s nose.
The result is a stream of snot that was previously inaccessible.
After posting, many parents were quick to offer praise for the simple hack.
“Wow. Never seen that done before. Little girl doesn’t seem distressed at all, in fact quite happy,” one user wrote.
“Mum is on point!” another added. “Had a plan and executed it with purpose. She was quick yet gentle, used the camera as distraction which worked perfectly. She was calm and reassured baby hence the happy child.. well done mama!! More humane than sucking it out!”
“I’ve done this before for post nasal drip…it’s essential to keep your mouth open otherwise the water goes straight down your throat and you feel like you’re drowning. This baby knows how it’s done!” another parent added.
But other parents and medical experts weren’t convinced this was an entirely safe method of clearing a blocked nose.
“This is not a safe practice,” one user wrote. “It can lead to choking and aspiration which could result in a pneumonia. But what do I know. I’m only a children’s nurse.”
“Be very careful doing anything like this on a child without Maternal Health or GP instructions. Too much salt can burn the delicate membranes in noses and throats of young children,” another added.
When children have a blocked nose, the British NHS recommends making their breathing easier by raising the pillow end of their bed or cot by putting books or bricks under their legs, or placing a pillow under the mattress (although you shouldn’t put anything under the mattress of a baby younger than 1 year old).
It also says a warm, moist atmosphere can help ease a blocked nose. “Take your child into the bathroom and run a hot bath or shower, or use a vaporiser to humidify the air,” the site advises.
If you’re not sure how to best help your child with a blocked nose, the NHS recommends speaking to your pharmacist or GP for advice.
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